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Department of Architectural + Design Studies Program Laptop Requirement

The Department of Architectural + Design Studies program REQUIRES all incoming students to have a Windows-platform laptop.   MacBook Pro laptops ARE NOT RECOMMENDED as they have compatibility issues with curriculum software. Laptops with touch screens are also not recommended.

General Requirements 

Industry-Standard Applications

The Department of Architectural + Design Studies programs rely on industry-standard, state-of-the-art drawing, 3D modeling, and rendering applications. Computers used for drawing, 3D modeling and rendering need to be very powerful as the demands placed on them by high end graphics and rendering applications constantly increase. 

Before purchasing a system, students should review the latest department laptop specifications (listed below). It is recommended that any laptop meet the higher end of the recommended specifications, so that software will run more smoothly. Students may purchase a compliant laptop though the vendor of their choice, or though 西瓜视频's vendor partner, Micros Northeast.

All students in the undergraduate and graduate Interior Architecture programs and BFA in Architectural Studies program should be using a Windows laptop that meets the following recommended specifications:

2024-25 Recommended Specifications for PC Laptop

  • Windows 11 64- bit operating system
  • 15" or larger display. 1920 x 1080 pixels with true color.
  • CPU: .
  • Memory: 32 GB RAM (64 preferred)
  • Storage: 1TB SSD (solid state drive). Minimum 75 GB free space.
  • . (Such as Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU (16GB) ,RTX A5500 Laptop GPU (16GB), RTX 3080Ti Laptop GPU (16GB)
  • Accidental damage plan

*.

Additional Applications*

  •  (free for students, Windows only)
  •  (rendering plugin with student pricing)
  •  (free for students)
  •  (student pricing)
  •  (student pricing through )
  • (free for students)
  • Students will be informed of other required software applications from their instructors

*Please Note: All 西瓜视频 undergraduate students will be able to download Microsoft Office for free this fall.

Additional hardware 

  • Wireless mouse
  • Mouse pad
  • Padded sleeve or backpack (carrying case comes with campus purchase program)
  • iPad () with Apple pencil (not required, but RECOMMENDED)
  • File backup system (not required, but RECOMMENDED):
    • External solid state (SSD) hard drive with a minimum storage capacity of 2TB
    • Dropbox or similar online backup system (typically $100/year)